Consumer Corner
Turn Holiday Spending into the Gift That Gives Back: The season of giving just got more rewarding
Last Updated on November 26, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Turn Holiday Spending into the Gift That Gives Back: The season of giving just got more rewarding
(Family Features) The holidays bring plenty of joy and just as many receipts. Between gift-giving, hosting and travel plans, the season of cheer can quickly turn into a season of spending.
According to the National Retail Federation, American shoppers spent thousands of dollars during the season last year, including approximately $902 per person on holiday gifts, food, decorations and other items that make the season bright.
However, savvy shoppers are finding ways to make their holiday spending go further. One way to do this is by choosing a credit card that rewards your purchases with meaningful perks. Consider a travel credit card like the World of Hyatt Credit Card from Chase, which offers opportunities to unlock benefits including free hotel nights, elite status and points on every purchase.
To maximize spending and reward yourself this season, those who apply for the credit card by Nov. 20 and get approved can earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points – earning 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 in your first three months from account opening, plus another 30,000 Bonus Points by earning two Bonus Points per $1 spent in your first six months on everyday purchases (up to $15,000). You’ll also enjoy double the progress toward elite status receiving two tier-qualifying night credits per night instead of one through Jan. 31, 2026, plus complimentary Discoverist status with perks like preferred rooms and late checkout.
It’s the ultimate gift that gives back, long after the holidays are over as 60,000 points can go a long way, from 5 nights at a countryside retreat to a weekend beachside getaway. If you’re looking to get the most out of your spending this season, consider these tips to maximize your rewards.
The Joy of Dining Out
Holiday meals aren’t just a break from the chaos; they’re an opportunity to earn your next escape. From brunch with visiting friends to lunch breaks between shopping and festive nights out, every bite can bring you closer to your next getaway. Use the credit card to earn 2XBonus Points per eligible $1 spent on dining and turn your seasonal celebrations into unforgettable rewards.
Take Advantage of Holiday Trips
If you’re heading home for the holidays or using the season to plan an escape, transportation costs can be just as rewarding as the travel itself. The credit card lets you earn 2X Bonus Points per eligible $1 spent on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, as well as local transit. Plus, extended benefits like auto rental coverage, extended warranty protection and travel assistance allow you to focus on what matters this season: making memories, not managing mishaps.
Turn Holiday Stays into Future Getaways
Your holiday hotel stay can help offset future excursions and reach elite status, too. With the credit card, cardmembers can earn up to 9X Bonus Points total per eligible $1 spent on qualifying purchases at more than 1,450 hotels and resorts around the world, including participating restaurants and spas. Points can then be redeemed for upgraded accommodations and free nights in standard rooms at hotels like The Venetian Resort Las Vegas for a winter escape or Grand Hyatt Vail for a ski-in, ski-out getaway for the whole family.
Give Yourself the Gift of Future Travel
Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be all about giving. As you check off wish lists for family and friends, every purchase made with the credit card can bring you closer to your own dream getaway by earning Bonus Points on everyday spending. Plus, receive one free night at any Category 1–4 hotel each year after your cardmember anniversary, including beachfront destinations like Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort.
Learn more about maximizing your holiday spending at chase.com/gethyattcard.
Content courtesy of Chase and World of Hyatt.
Credit Cards are issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
SOURCE:
Hyatt
Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!
Refresh Your Home: A Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Checklist
(Feature Impact) After months of winter, spring cleaning isn’t just about dusting and vacuuming – it’s about inviting sunlight and fresh air into your space through the open windows and giving yourself a fresh start for the longer days ahead.
It’s also a perfect opportunity to clear out the old and make room for new experiences, memories and energy. Whether you’re tackling deep cleaning for the first time or you have seasonal rituals for tidying up your home, this room-by-room guide can help you plan and conquer seasonal chores.
Whole Home:
- Declutter spaces: Donate, recycle or discard what you don’t need
- Wash windows inside and out
- Dust baseboards, walls, vents and ceiling fans
- Wipe down doors, knobs and light switches
- Vacuum and clean under and behind furniture
- Clean curtains and blinds
- Store seasonal items like winter clothing and decor
- Replace air filters
- Shampoo carpet
Kitchen:
- Empty and wipe down refrigerator and freezer
- Clean oven, stovetop and microwave
- Scrub countertops and backsplashes
- Clean out the garbage disposal
- Sweep and mop floors
- Organize the pantry and throw away any expired items
Bathrooms:
- Scrub grout and tile
- Clean mirrors and glass surfaces
- Deep clean toilets
- Wipe down cabinets and bathroom fixtures
- Wash rugs, floor mats and the shower curtain and liner
- Empty trash and clean the bin
Bedrooms and Other Living Areas:
- Wash bedding, pillows and linens
- Organize closets and drawers
- Vacuum chair, couches and mattresses as well as under cushions
- Dust shelves and decor
- Clean light fixtures and lampshades
Outdoor Areas:
- Power wash patios, sidewalks and driveways
- Wipe down outdoor furniture and replace textiles like pillows, cushions and umbrellas
- Clear debris from garden beds
- Prune shrubs, plants and trees
- Organize garages and sheds
- Reconnect hoses and sprinklers
- Prep lawn equipment such as mowers, weed eaters and blowers
For more spring cleaning tips and tricks, visit eLivingtoday.com.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!
Consumer Corner
Unilever, Google Cloud Strike Five-Year AI Partnership to Reshape Consumer Goods Marketing
Unilever and Google Cloud have announced a five-year partnership aimed at accelerating the consumer goods giant’s digital transformation through AI, cloud infrastructure, and data modernization.
The deal centers on helping Unilever strengthen brand discovery, marketing measurement, and AI-driven customer engagement across its global portfolio, which includes Dove, Vaseline, and Hellmann’s. A major focus is the rise of conversational and agentic commerce, where consumers increasingly discover and shop for products through AI-powered interactions rather than traditional search and browsing.
As part of the agreement, Unilever will migrate its integrated data and cloud platform to Google Cloud, creating what the companies describe as an AI-first digital backbone. That system is intended to help Unilever move faster on demand generation, turn data into actionable insights, and respond more quickly to shifts in the market.
The partnership is built around three pillars:
- Agentic commerce and marketing intelligence
- An integrated data and cloud foundation
- Advanced AI adoption across the business
Unilever leadership framed the move as part of a broader shift in which technology is becoming central to value creation in the fast-moving consumer goods sector. Google Cloud said the collaboration will use advanced AI models, including Gemini, to help modernize business processes and improve agility.
Unilever said it generated €50.5 billion in sales in 2025, operates in more than 190 countries, and reaches 3.7 billion people every day.
What to watch for
- How “agentic commerce” changes consumer brand discovery
- Whether other major CPG companies follow with similar AI-cloud partnerships
- How AI-backed marketing measurement impacts ad efficiency and conversion
Source: PR Newswire / Google Cloud
Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!
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Consumer Corner
The McMansion era is over: Zillow says American buyers want homes that feel personal, practical, and resilient
Zillow’s 20-year analysis shows American homebuyers are moving away from oversized McMansions and toward smaller, flexible homes with wellness, sustainability, and climate-ready feature
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Zillow’s 20-year look at for-sale listings suggests a major shift in how Americans define the ideal home. In 2006, listings leaned into size, symmetry, and status, with McMansion-style homes featuring grand foyers, formal dining rooms, oversized primary suites, and luxury finishes meant to impress. In 2026, Zillow says buyers are focused less on square footage and more on flexibility, comfort, and how a home supports everyday life.
According to Zillow, affordability pressures are helping drive that change. New homes are getting smaller, and listings increasingly highlight spaces with a clear purpose rather than oversized layouts. Mentions of reading nooks are up 48%, while features tied to self-expression and wellness are also gaining traction. Zillow says “color drenching” is up 149% in listings, spa-inspired bathrooms are up 22%, and recreation-focused amenities like golf simulators and pickleball courts have each risen 25%.
Sustainability and climate readiness are also moving closer to the center of buyer priorities. Zillow reports that mentions of zero-energy-ready homes are up 70%, whole-home batteries are up 40%, and EV charging stations are up 25%. Climate-resilient details such as flood protection and fire resistance are increasingly being marketed as value drivers, a sharp contrast to 2006, when energy efficiency was rarely emphasized.
Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert, said the data shows American homes have shifted “from status symbols to sanctuaries.” Looking ahead, Zillow expects the next phase of home design to center on adaptability, with homes built to respond to changing family needs, lifestyles, and climate conditions.
Source: Zillow, Inc. via PR Newswire
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Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!
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